Galaxy, Timbers try to move past slow starts

A pair of longtime Western Conference rivals will meet on Sunday afternoon while trying to get on track in MLS play when the Los Angeles Galaxy hit the road to face the Portland Timbers.

Portland has just two goals from three MLS matches this season, while the defending champion Galaxy have been even worse with one goal from their three MLS matches. However, Los Angeles appeared to find a way forward with a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica's CS Herediano in CONCACAF Champions Cup play during the week.

The Galaxy (0-3-0, 0 points) remain without midfielder Riqui Puig (knee) and forward Joseph Paintsil (quad), two mainstays of the offense, but another dependable forward in Gabriel Pec scored in Wednesday's victory over Herediano.

Midfielder Isaiah Parente piloted the offense with two assists, while 17-year-old defender Harbor Miller made his mark against Herediano, adding an assist on Pec's goal.

John McCarthy has been in goal for both Champions Cup matches, while Novak Micovic has allowed seven goals in three MLS matches. The Galaxy are the first defending champion to lose their first three matches of the following season.

"Everybody stepped up. Everybody was given an opportunity," said the Galaxy's Christian Ramirez, according to the Los Angeles Times, after also scoring a goal against Herediano. "That's what a good team does when everybody's called upon. Guys step up."

The Timbers (1-2-0, 3 points) absorbed a 2-0 road to Nashville SC last Saturday in their first road match of the season. At home, they opened with a 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps followed by a 1-0 victory over Austin FC on March 1.

Portugal's David Da Costa and Brazil's Antony have scored Portland's goals this season.

Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who struggled in the season-opening loss to the Whitecaps, is expected to be available after a lower-body injury. James Pantemis has been in goal the past two matches and saved two penalties in the opening 17 minutes against Nashville.

Pantemis became the second MLS goalkeeper to save two penalties in the same half of a match.

"It's never easy and I see it as a little bit of luck and a little bit of just trying to read players," Pantemis said. "I was just trying to read body shape. And the second one, was just more feeling and mental. I said to myself, ‘Why not twice on the same side and we'll see what happens.'"

--Field Level Media